25 Ideas to Improve Your Next PowerPoint Presentation

Everyone knows the difficulty and stress that can be creating an informative and impactful presentation. You work for hours creating a spectacular presentation designed to amaze your audience, and when it is perfect it makes both you and your information look good. Perfection is of course, what everyone strives to achieve. It can be much more difficult than imagined and the stress can build up, which in term can cause your idea of an amazing presentation fall short.

Powerpoint is probably the most renown presentation tool out there. Perfect for any topic and any type of audience out there. However, even though it is the ideal tool to present with, it can be difficult to begin or even keep a steady and efficient pace.

Here are 25 ideas to keep your presentation captivating and smooth.

25 Ideas to Improve Your Next PowerPoint Presentation

1. Keep Reading Off the Slides to a Minimum

The audience can read what you wrote on the slides without you having to recite it to them. Your words on the slide should just be the foundation of your oral presentation. Spoken words have more flair and personality, making it easier for the audience to connect with you. Convince them with the articulate speech you rehearsed, not with the words they can see for themselves.

2. Cater to Your Audience

The worst thing you can do is present the right information to the wrong type of audience. If your audience specializes in business you want to make sure your presentation is professional and on topic. To an audience in business talk about their products and what you can do to make them more money. If it’s to your classmates relate to them and the professor, you’ve all been in the same place.

3. Use Visuals

Images can boost your presentation to the next level. They can provide audiences deeper insight into your topics and give some much needed visual stimulation. Especially after all the information, they’re being bombarded with.

4. Use Clear Fonts

Do not lose points and your audience’s attention by having distracting fonts in your texts. Use the best fonts as it suits your presentation’s interest and format.

5. Downloadable PowerPoint Templates

Powerpoint has the same redundant templates from always. Audiences have probably seen or used most of them! The solution? Well, there are plenty of templates online that are fresh, unique, and just the thing you need to get started! They even outline a flow you could follow to keep the presentation smooth. In Graphicpanda you can find amazing and fully equipped templates for almost every field or niche. Take a moment to use the search box and find the perfect powerpoint template for your project.

6. Infographics, If You Have Them, Use Them

There are plenty of ways to present your audience with valuable information, so use all the tools at your disposal! Audiences can always appreciate a visual representation of information because that way they won’t feel overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and calculations.

7. Study Other Presentations

Businessman using binoculars to look at a city

There’s no shame in having an inspiration block. If that happens to you just look at other presentations. There are plenty of presentations you can look at online to gauge how they would get their audience to positively respond, and get some ideas to help you perform that way.

8. Practice Beforehand

A common problem for presenters is stage fright. The dreaded moment when you have to get up in front of the audience and speak can be overwhelming. Take time to practice with a friend or group of people you’re comfortable with. Get comfortable with your presentation, because then you’ll be more comfortable in front of your target audience.

9. Keep a Good Tempo

You know what you wrote in each of those slides, so when you’re presenting you might go a bit too fast. Of course, it can happen, and it’s fine as long as you catch yourself and slow down. Make sure you pay attention to the audience and the average pace of the room.

10. Dress to Impress

Not only does the audience need to be impressed by your presentation, they need to be impressed by you. Make sure you dress appropriately and leave feeling confident about the way you look. It’ll pay off when the audience sees you looking sharp and confident.

11. Don’t Be Boring

It might be a blunt statement, but it’s meant to help you reflect. Think about it from the audience’s point of view, would you want to sit through your own presentation? If you’re having trouble you can always ask a friend.

12. Be Concise

Your slides should contain the main points of your topic, not the full weight of your presentation. Elaborate on those points in your speech and even then avoid rambling.

13. The First Slide Is the Hook

If you don’t hook your audience from the start odds are they won’t pay much attention overall. As with any good essay you have to make sure the audience is on the line from start to finish.

14. Avoid Aggressive Repetition

It can be hard to not repeat yourself during the presentation. It is fine if it connects to the topic at hand, but it has to be in doses and with different words. Your audience does not want to hear the same thing over and over again.

15. High Definition Images

We are in a much more modern world with pictures and images that make you feel as if you are in the place they are of. There are websites with plenty of amazing pictures such as unsplash.com and pexels.com that you can utilize. Keep your presentation as sleek and modern as possible.

16. Use Videos

It’s good to have a break in the presentation every once in a while. A video that is pertinent to the topic is the perfect way to give the audiences some relief from all the reading.

17. Talk to the Whole Audience

It might sound strange but I simply mean you should look at the entire group rather than just focusing your view on one set of them. Make everyone feel that their presence is acknowledged.

18. Use Your Peers

If you ask nicely there is probably someone around you that is willing to give you feedback on your presentation. Use them to practice and refine your work.

19. Make Sure Your Presentation Is Linear

Something that is organized is more pleasing. It is easier to understand and follow, which ultimately benefits everyone because the audience leaves well informed and your presentation was a hit.

20. Limit the Use of Animated Transitions

In Powerpoint you have the option to include an animated transition between slides. While they might look nice and fancy at first, most people will see them as unnecessary and redundant. Keep it simple.

21. Use Audio if Possible

A presentation can have perfect visuals and information, but knowing when to add audio can set you apart. Of course what you have to say is much more important than the latest hit song, so that is why timing and planning are everything.

22. Have a Unique Theme

Make sure the entire presentation is tied together by a single overall theme. Avoid rambling about separate topics and keep the majority of your focus on the theme at hand. Make sure that theme permeates throughout the entire presentation so the audience doesn’t forget why they are there.

23. Speak Loudly and Clearly

It does say loudly so I don’t mean shout at your audience. Just keep your speech to an appropriate volume and make sure to speak as clearly as possible.

24. Use Color to Your Advantage

Color can make or break any presentation. If it is too flashy or boring it will distract from the entire thing. Make sure you use a visually pleasing contrast of colors that is neither overwhelming nor underwhelming.

25. End on a High Note

The conclusion of your presentation is what will be freshest in the audience’s minds for the longest time. Make sure the last thing they hear and see translates to a powerful message that ties your entire presentation and key points together.

Best Free PowerPoint Templates Conclusion

What do you think of this list of the best free powerpoint templates? You know, anyone can use these templates, from CEOs presenting reports of the sales or projections, start-up companies hoping to persuade their investor to fund them and, students presenting projects in front of a classroom. Anyone who wants to professionally and artistically crafts a PowerPoint presentation can use these templates. Download one or all of these 55 best free powerpoint templates of 2017 now and captivate all your viewers with the amazing features provided. In conclusion, templates are extremely beneficial no matter who you are, so I hope you found one on this list that help you make a powerful impact and persuade your audience. Tell me what do you think of these 55 best free powerpoint templates? Which one is your favorite?

All of this information is here to help you in case you need some ideas and help on your way to success. Good luck on all your future endeavors and hopefully all of this is information you can carry with you on the path to success.